Morning journal and courier., 1887-07-09
BIG OREGON CAVES.
Just How Large They Are No Ont Knows, But They Bid Fair to be En tereatfnE.

Just How Large They Are No One Knows, Hut They Bid Fair to be Tn- terestfng.
 From the Oakland Enterprise
 For several months past there has been considerable interest in the but little known Cooper caves. Since the discovery of hu- man bones in these caves last spring by some adventurous young men various parties have visited them.
 Prompted by desire to ascertain the truth regarding these caves, their exact loca- tion, characteristics, subterranean construc- tion, &c.,, the Enterprise detailed party armed with torches, rope, extension ladders, compass and scientific apparatus to prosecute thorough search. The searching party started from Oakland last Sunday morning at seven o'clock, and after a pleasant trip through the picturesque valley, distance of four miles, halt was ordered, the torches primed water secured, Ste. From this point to within two hundred yards of the caves is most beautiful though steep incline, which winds gracefully around the mountain side, with overhanging branches of green laurel, the tall, stately fir and shady oak. This lonely trail has been called Cave avenue. Having gained the summit and all being ready, the torch was lit, ropes adjusted and the party began to descend. Having reached the first level, distance of thirty feet, instruments were compared and the journey begun. After reaching the level for ten feet large chamber fifteen feet high and sixteen feet long, containing large cavities, projecting rock, &c., was found; narrow
 passage leads from this to another chamber ten by five feet, composed of granite for nation, with here and there decaying sand stone. From the main entrance west one
 hundred feet, thence northwest and north two hundred and fifty feet, another and smaller chamber was found, connected by 8 narrow lead southeast to the ten-foot, and another due south to the fifteen foot cham Der back to the entrance. Some of the leads are extremely narrow and extend down
 and in for thousands of feet. Evidences of animal and vegetable life were found in many places. 4 species of bat was found
 having no eyes. On the top of the noun
 tain, which is largely of solid stone, one can
 strike with stick or stone and sharp, we'll
 defined hollow sound is produced, proving
 beyond 8 doubt that these caves extend per
 haps for miles into the bowels of the earth.
 Parts of & human skeleton supposed by
 many to be that of an Indiana skull, right
 and left innominats, coccyx, a portion of the
 vertebra, right and left femur, two tibia, one 6bula one humerus, one radius, two r1bs
 portion of ulna, phalanges, metacarpal and
 metatarsal bones-were found on Sunday,
 March 13, in the largest cavity of the Coop
 CT caves. Those who have seen them say
 they are upward of one hundred years old,
 and if not an Indians bones they are proba-
 bly, those of some hunter or early settler who
 lost his way and sought shelter in these
 caves The parts of skeletons now in the
 museum at the Umpqua academy, it is sta
 ted, were also found in the largest cave,
 which has never been fully explored.
 The scenery from the top of the mountain, where the caves are located, is grand. From down in yawning chasm thousands of feet below comes the musical sound of rushing waters, as the mad, foaming stream courses it's way onward until lost in the hidden re- cesses of the distant hills. Here too one can form an idea of what splendid farms and cultivated valleys we have in Douglas. The secluded valleys nestled among the gigantic mountains, with fields of ripening grain l swayed by every passing breeze, the sheep,